Pete Coors on Civil Rights

Republican Senate Challenger (CO)

No abuses o power in PATRIOT Act

Q: The Patriot Act is scheduled to expire in 2005. Should Congress renew it and, if you could amend the law, what part would you change?

A: Yes. We must ensure that law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the necessary tools to combat terrorism.
To date, there have been no abuses of power as a result of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act updates current law to account for new technologies like cell phones. The act also allows law enforcement officials to share information between agencies.

Source: Rocky Mountain News interview
Aug 10, 2004

Define marriage as between a man and a woman

Q: Do you favor the Allard/Musgrave amendment banning same-sex marriage?

A: I believe the definition of marriage is a legal union between a man and a woman. Unfortunately, activist judges have forced the issues and sought to undo this
traditional institution. I question whether the Constitution is the best place to place such a law, but I would support the Allard/Musgrave amendment as a last resort to preserving the institution of marriage.

Source: Rocky Mountain News interview
Aug 10, 2004

Opposed to change the definition of marriage

I believe marriage is between a man and woman. I oppose the activist judges who try to change the traditional definition of marriage.

Coors provides same-sex couple benefits equally

Some conservatives grumble that Coor's company supports gay rights. "We've got gays working there," he says. "If they can demonstrate long-term relationships, we make same-sex benefits available
just as we do with common-law marriages. Gays are productive people. Some fly airplanes, some work in breweries."

Source: John J. Miller, National Review
May 3, 2004

Boycotted for anti-affirmative action

We have called for a national boycott of Coors Beer and other corporations that have contributed to the efforts of right wing forces to reverse the gains of the last civil rights movement. We are boycotting Coors Beer to stop their funding of Ward
Connerly's anti-affirmative action ballot initiative on the Michigan ballot.

Coors has seen its role typically as providing seed money for major attacks on civil rights like Proposition 209 and the University of Michigan cases.
Making clear to Coors that racism is bad business can therefore play a very important role in reversing the whole period of right wing and racist attacks on affirmative action and integration.